Cecil Township creek turns blue

Paint from parking lot job dumped into drain

In Cecil Township on Wednesday, people found what looked to be a blue lagoon in the Cecil Township Municipal Park Creek. Onlookers wondered what caused the color.

At first glance, the blue hue almost enhances the beauty of the serene creek. But upon a closer look, you could see a blue substance foaming at the bottom of a storm drain, and spreading down the creek.

"It doesn't make any sense, you don't normally dump paint down a storm grate," Casciola said.

Resident Jason Cillo, who was outside taking his senior photos with the scenic creek as a backdrop, said he didn't like what happened.

"I don't see any reason they need to be dumping paint in here. You're ruining the natural quality of this creek," Cillo said.

Department of Environmental Protection spokesman John Poister told The Associated Press that a "relatively new" township employee had just finished painting the lines on parking spaces in the park and dumped about a half-gallon of paint into the nearby drain while washing out brushes.

"It is dangerous. Even latex paint can cause damage to the ecosystem of the creek," said Poister.

Township manager Donald Gennuso confirmed the DEP's findings. Gennuso says, along with Poister, that the agency has no plans to cite the township for what appears to be an honest mistake.

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